The top two teams met at Aykley Heads when Durham HQ entertained Stockton and it was the leaders who ran out 4-1 winners.

Recovering from their first defeat last week, HQ led from the early stages when Dave Oliver lobbed the keeper for his seventh goal of the season.

Tony Insall and Paul Bruce both netted their sixth of the season to give HQ a 3-0 lead.

Stockton racked up a short spell of pressure and pulled a goal back through Shaun Close, but this was no more than a consolation as HQ wrapped up the points in the final minutes when Lee Tooke thumped the ball home from 18 yards.

This was Stockton's first defeat after a six-game unbeaten run.

Tyne and Wear couldn't make up ground on their opponents when they failed to win for the second consecutive game.

They were held to a 2-2 draw by Frankland. Peter Hamill and Kevin Farrell scored for the Fire Brigade, while Lee Drummond and Elliot Sharp netted for Frankland.

After beating leaders HQ last week, Easington were probably hoping for great things this time around against Langbaurgh, but the Cleveland side are just starting to get their act together and were worthy 6-3 winners.

Derwentside were able to field a team this week and travelled to Darlington. The game was a tight affair with the visitors having the better of the game, but only managed to score one goal.

The goal was scored midway through the second&#xA0; half by debutant Paul Dixon, whose left foot shot left the keeper with no chance.